Turbine Engine Auxiliary Lubrication for Negative-Gravity Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbine engines face lubricant flow interruptions during negative gravity conditions, such as during rapid altitude changes, leading to potential journal bearing failure and gearbox failure due to inadequate lubrication, which existing auxiliary systems fail to prevent promptly.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary lubrication system with a tri-axial accelerometer and controller predicts lubricant pressure interruptions, using an accumulator with a lubricant bladder to supply lubricant proactively before interruptions occur, ensuring continuous lubrication to rotating components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a primary lubrication system is used during stable operating conditions, then the turbine engine operates efficiently, but lubricant flow interruptions occur during negative gravity conditions leading to bearing failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubrication continuityVSAvoidresponse to negative gravity conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary lubrication system is activated in advance upon detection of negative gravity conditions (via accelerometer) or lubricant pressure drop (via pressure sensor), supplying lubricant to rotating components before complete flow interruption occurs. This preliminary action prevents bearing starvation and failure during maneuvering conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary lubrication system acts as an intermediary backup system between the primary lubrication system and the rotating components. When the primary system fails during negative gravity conditions, the auxiliary system (comprising auxiliary pump, reservoir, and supply lines) provides intermediate lubricant delivery to maintain bearing lubrication until normal conditions resume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing auxiliary lubrication systems are used, then some protection is provided, but they fail to prevent lubricant interruptions promptly during negative gravity conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing protectionVSAvoidresponse time to lubricant interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors (accelerometers and pressure sensors) that continuously monitor flight conditions and lubricant pressure, providing feedback to the control system. When negative gravity conditions are detected or pressure drops below a threshold, the system immediately activates the auxiliary lubrication system, reducing response time and preventing bearing interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the auxiliary lubrication system activates only after pressure drop, then system complexity is reduced, but lubricant interruptions occur before activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidlubrication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an accelerometer to detect negative gravity conditions before lubricant pressure actually drops. This preliminary detection triggers early activation of the auxiliary lubrication system, ensuring continuous lubrication during maneuvering conditions without requiring complex real-time pressure monitoring thresholds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents lubricant interruptions by anticipating and supplying lubricant to rotating components before they happen, thereby preventing journal bearing seizure and gearbox failure during negative gravity conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the controller predicts a lubricant pressure interruption based on a output from the accelerometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

using an accumulator with a lubricant bladder to supply lubricant proactively before interruptions occur

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic Accumulator: Hydraulic Accumulator

Data Source

PatentUS20250305426A1Lubrication system for a turbine engine

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

AI summary

A lubrication system for a turbine engine that includes one or more rotating components. The lubrication system includes one or more tanks that store lubricant, a primary lubrication system, and an auxiliary lubrication system. The primary lubrication system supplies the lubricant from the one or more tanks to the one or more rotating components during stable operating conditions of the lubrication system. The auxiliary lubrication system includes an auxiliary feed line and an auxiliary supply line. The auxiliary lubrication system receives the lubricant from the one or more tanks through the auxiliary feed line. The auxiliary lubrication system supplies the lubricant to the one or more rotating components through the auxiliary supply line when there is a potential lubricant interruption in the lubrication system.